Friday, February 11, 2011

Butler High's Cierra Burdick, the reigning Observer and N.C. player of the year, has been selected to play in the 2011 McDonald's All-American game with some of the best girls' high school players in the country.

The game will be played at 6:30 p.m. March 30 in Chicago's United Center. ESPNU will televise the game live. ESPN will televise the boys' game at 9 p.m.

Burdick is the second Mecklenburg County player to make the team, following South Mecklenburg's Joy Cheek five years ago.

ESPN ranks Burdick the No. 3 overall player in the nation and the No. 1 small forward recruit in the country. She has signed with Tennessee. This season, Burdick averages 22.3 points, 15.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 4.1 steals. She's led Butler to a 23-0 record heading into Friday's regular-season finale at Independence.

Burdick has also been picked for the WBCA (Women's Basketball Coaches Association) All-Star game this spring.